Understanding Pan Shots: Camera Techniques For Filmmakers

A pan shot is a basic yet adaptable camera technique in which the camera is moved horizontally from a fixed point to capture a panorama. The term 'pan' is derived from 'panorama', which describes a wide view. The physical position of the camera does not move, but the panning refers to the swivelling left or right on a fixed mount. This differs from dolly shots, where the mounting system itself moves. A pan shot can be used to reveal the setting, shift the point of view, transition between scenes, show speed or action, and interact with characters and their surroundings. The speed of a pan shot can also convey emotional aspects of a story. For example, a slow pan can create tension, while a fast pan, or a whip pan, can create a dizzying effect.

How to create a pan shot

A pan shot is a basic yet effective camera technique where the camera is moved horizontally from a fixed point to capture a panoramic view. The term "pan" comes from "panorama," which describes a wide view. The physical position of the camera does not move, but the camera swivels right to left or vice versa on a fixed mount. This is different from a dolly shot, where the mounting system itself moves.

• Mount the camera on a tripod: While it is possible to create a pan shot with a handheld camera, using a tripod offers more stability. If you are using a handheld camera, hold it close to your body for the best results.
• Choose a beginning and ending frame: These frames serve as bookends for your pan shot, so choose them carefully. Practising with still frames can be helpful when you are starting.
• Swivel the camera: Use the tripod's handle, also known as a pan bar or pan arm, to move the camera from one side to the other. Ensure that the tripod moves smoothly without sticking or jerking and that you maintain a consistent movement and speed throughout the pan.
• Practice the pan: Before you start filming, rehearse the movements a few times to ensure that nothing is blocking or shaking your shot. This is especially useful if you are filming with actors, as it allows them to check their positioning and run through the shot.
• Get several takes: Unexpected interruptions can occur, and you may not notice them immediately while filming. Therefore, it is a good idea to get a few safety takes before wrapping up.
• Vary the speed of the pan to create an emotional effect: The speed of the pan can convey different emotions in your story. For example, a slow pan can build tension as the audience anticipates what will be revealed, while a fast pan, or whip pan, can create a dizzying effect and add energy to the scene.
• Combine or reverse pan shots for different effects: Combining similar or opposite moving pan shots can be a powerful tool. For example, continuing a panning shot in the same direction from one scene to the next can suggest a similar emotion or the passage of time. On the other hand, reversing a pan shot from one scene to the next can indicate that something is wrong or that a character's emotion has changed.

The history of camera panning

Panning is derived from the word "panorama", suggesting a view that exceeds the gaze and forces the viewer to turn their head to take everything in. In cinematography and photography, it involves swivelling a still or video camera horizontally from a fixed position. This movement is similar to how a person would turn their head from left to right.

Panning is almost as old as the moving image itself. In the early days of film, it was incredibly difficult to move the camera, so pans were used all the time to convey movement through a scene.

Today, panning is a basic yet extremely effective camera technique used to capture a panorama. It is important for any aspiring photographer or cinematographer to master because of its ability to be used for a wide range of situations and scenarios.

In photography, panning is used to communicate action or movement. It freezes objects in motion in a still frame, conveying motion as the human eye would see it.

In film, there are many reasons cinematographers use panning for certain scenes. It can be used to reveal the setting, shift the point of view, transition between scenes, reset a scene and its actors, show speed or action, and interact with characters and their surroundings.

Filmmakers like Wes Anderson and Damien Chazelle are known for their use of panning to great effect. Anderson's pans are highly stylised and meticulously constructed, while Chazelle combines panning with other camera movements like dolly moves and tilts.

Uses of a pan shot in film

A pan shot is a basic yet effective camera technique where the camera moves horizontally from a fixed point to capture a panorama. The camera pivots left or right without the physical position of the camera itself moving.

Reveal the Setting

Pan shots can be used to give the audience a better idea of the scene's setting. This is especially effective if you want to set a specific tone or explore unusual surroundings. For example, in Antonioni's *The Passenger*, a slow panning shot along the horizon makes the severity of the character's situation clear.

Shift Point of View

Panning can be used to switch from one subject's view to another's. This can be used to simulate the existence of a doppelganger, twin, or clone.

Transition Between Scenes

Panning can be used instead of a simple cut to transition between scenes. This can indicate a jump through time and/or space, transporting the audience to a different time or location, or even into an imagined scenario.

Show Speed or Action

Panning is a great way to communicate movement and is often used in action sequences or to add energy to a static scene. This can be used to follow a character or object that zooms past the screen.

Interact with Characters and their Surroundings

Pan shots can be used during a back-and-forth interaction to create tension or humour. Filmmakers often use this technique during comedic conversations or to show a character's reaction to something happening off-screen.

Types of pan shots

The pan shot is a basic yet effective camera technique where the camera moves horizontally from a fixed point to capture a panoramic view. The physical position of the camera does not move, but it swivels left or right. This is different from a dolly shot, where the mounting system itself moves.

There are several types of pan shots used in cinematography:

• Aerial pan shots: These are often achieved by attaching cameras to drones and flying them over landscapes or cityscapes. The operator can then pan the camera left or right to capture the desired shot.
• Whip pans: Also known as whip shots or swish pans, these are created by panning the camera very quickly, resulting in blurred imagery that can leave the audience feeling disoriented. Whip pans are often used as transitions between shots and can indicate the passage of time or a fast pace of action.
• Slow pans: These allow the audience to take in the details of a landscape or the faces in a crowd.
• Fast pans: A quick pan can add energy to a sequence.

Uses of Pan Shots

Pan shots are used in cinematography for various reasons, including:

• Revealing the setting: A pan shot can give the audience a better idea of the scene's setting and help establish a specific tone or explore unusual surroundings.
• Shifting the point of view: Panning can be used to switch from one subject's view to another's.
• Transitioning between scenes: Panning can be used instead of a simple cut to transition between scenes. This is often used to indicate a jump in time or space.
• Resetting a scene and its actors: Pan shots can be used to change a scene's orientation, such as when simulating the existence of a doppelganger, twin, or clone.
• Showing speed or action: Panning is a great way to communicate movement and is often used in action sequences or to add energy to a static scene.
• Interacting with characters and their surroundings: Pan shots can be used during back-and-forth interactions to create tension or humour, such as during comedic conversations or to show a character's reaction to something off-screen.

The psychological effects of pan shots

The pan shot is a basic yet effective camera technique. It involves moving the camera horizontally from a fixed point to capture a panorama. The term 'pan' is derived from 'panorama', which describes a wide view. The physical position of the camera itself does not move, but the panning refers to the swivelling left to right mounted on a fixed location.

The pan shot is a simple movement that can speak volumes. It is a powerful tool in a filmmaker's toolbox, used to complement the narrative and add depth and context to a story. It can be used to guide the audience's eyes, reveal information, and create tension. The speed of a pan shot can also convey emotional aspects in a story. For example, a slow pan can create tension and anticipation, while a fast pan or whip pan can create a dizzying effect, manipulate time and location, and generate energy in a scene.

Additionally, pan shots can be used to reveal character details and introduce them to the audience. A 360-degree pan of a character's room can communicate their interests, backstory, and personality traits. This technique provides an economical way to convey essential information about a character through visual storytelling.

In conclusion, pan shots are a versatile tool in filmmaking that can have a profound psychological impact on viewers. They can be used to create tension, reveal information, convey emotions, and introduce characters. The speed and direction of a pan shot are crucial in achieving the desired psychological effect, making it an essential technique for filmmakers to master.

Frequently asked questions